Bennett criticises referees after player injured

Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has criticised a decision by referees not to stop the game when Knights rookie Kyle O'Donnell was knocked out in the team's loss to the Rabbitohs yesterday.

The Knights went down to Souths 34 to 14 at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

O'Donnell was knocked unconcious in the 69th minute after a head clash.

Bennett says it was clear O'Donnell was injured and the game should have been stopped immediately.

"Yeh I was bewildered why the game didn't stop straight away," he said.

"The guy was obviously injured.

"Everyone on the ground could see what had happened.

"As he has fallen to the ground, he's unconcious before he hits the ground.

"I don't care about the NRL's rules and procedures, if someone can't stop a game for that then we've got the wrong people administering the game and refereeing the game because the fact was this guy's health was at risk.

Bennett says a player's health must take precedence over the game.

"You know I was really disappointed," he said.

"This guy's health was at risk and that precedes any other, any other issue or thing and unfortunately it didn't today.